ANC Free State PEC Meets after National and Provincial Elections

The Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC in the Free State convened its PEC meeting on 21 July 2024 at Kaizer Sebothelo Building in Bloemfontein, after the watershed 2024 Provincial and National Elections.

The meeting was attended by the PEC members, the leagues and NEC members. It received political overview from the Provincial Chairperson, Cde Mxolisi Dukwana and input by NEC convener of deployees, Cde Febe Potgieter. The inputs covered number of important political issues which includes an acknowledgement that the ANC could not secure majority in the past national and provincial election at national level and this is characterized as a significant setback in the advancement of NDR. This performance has compelled the ANC at the national level to initiate discussions with other political parties and this led to Government of National Unity (GNU) which is guided by Statement of Intent (SOI) signed by all parties to the GNU.

The ANC in the Free State reflected on its historical challenges which included divisions of the past among members of the ANC. These divisions have planted a profound lesson on the importance of coherent and united organization.

Appointment of the Executive Council

The PEC congratulated Cde Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae in her election as the Premier of the Free State and appointment of her Executive Council. We are confident that the collective led by Cde Maqueen will reconnect government with the people and ensure provision of basic services is improved in our municipalities. The PEC will therefore provide the necessary support to the Premier and her Executive Council. This collective will be guided by the six priorities of ANC Manifesto as a commitment made with the people of the Free State and South Africa.

Governance

The State is one of our pillars of struggle, hence we contest state power through participation in the election and always garner for overwhelming victory in election. We have committed that we will build a capable developmental state that intervenes in the socio-economic issues of communities. This type of state must be professional and ethical. We call upon public servants to improve their capacity of providing services to our people. To be a public servant is the call of duty, therefore only sympathetic and professional public servants will understand what it takes to provide quality services to the people.

We have directed deployees of ANC in government to quickly facilitate the process of skills audit and conduct head count within their different institutions. This will ensure that the correct people are place where they can contribute meaningfully and ensure workers comply to conditions of employment especially regarding being at work on time and meeting performance targets.

The ANC through its Monitoring and Evaluation unit will continuously monitor performance of government both at local and provincial level. The Provincial Secretary through the guidance of Office of the Secretary-General will facilitate signing of performance agreements by members of provincial legislature.

The PEC instructed that ANC deployees to present report on state of both local and provincial government. This will allow the PEC to take corrective political decisions where it is necessary in order to improve provision of quality services to our people. We already heard the message by voters, what is left is to hit the ground running. 

The PEC also noted the challenge of provision of quality water in various areas including in Maluti-a-Phofung. We have therefore instructed our deployees to engage Vaal Central Water and Department of Water and Sanitation to work on sustainable solution to this challenge. 

PEC Officials Roadshow to Municipalities

The PEC noted the programme adopted by the PEC Officials to visit various municipalities across the province. This is part of interventions to make municipalities functional and serve the interest of the people.

PEC Lekgotla

In order to provide political strategic direction to the ANC deployees in government and ANC structures, the ANC on an annual basis convene its provincial Lekgotla. The intention of this meeting is to develop a practical implementable programme emanating from the six priorities of our manifesto and January 8 Statement. The PEC will therefore convene its Lekgotla on 10 – 11August 2024.

The fight against GBV+F

The ANC is deeply concern about the rising cases of Gender Based Violence and Femicide in the province. These cruel activities in almost all cases have been committed by the people whom the victims regard as intimate. The ANC will soon embark on an aggressive programme led by men to fight this scourge. We have noted the initiatives from the Premier’s Office to address this pandemic of GBV+F. We appeal to members of communities to always alert law enforcement agencies on any activities that violates rights of women and children. These activities are happening within our neighborhood therefore community members must stand against these activities by reporting so that these psychotic criminals are referred to where they belong. 

The PEC noted with a grave concern the recent brutal killings of women, in particular Comrade Disebo Portia Masupa, a member of the ANC in Lejweleputswa region. We regret this act of brutality and all forms of violence and femicide against women. The PEC pledge to be the active advocate, to speak up against gender violence and sexism, and to teach other men how we can help end gender based violence. The PEC pledge never to remain silent and will campaign vociferously about violence against women and girls meted out by its members in particular and any men in general.

Statement of the ANCYL

The PEC reflected on the unfortunate recent statement of the ANCYL. The ANCYL is an autonomous but integral part of the ANC. The ANCYL have the right to raise any issue affecting young people in the province. This must be raised within the created internal structures. It is regrettable that the ANCYL in the province opted to canvass their views for inclusion of youth in the Executive Council through media and by lamenting COSATU and Cde Monyatso Mahlatsi in particular. We view this as unpalatable behavior and uncomradetly. Historically the relationship between the youth and workers has been a cordial relationship as a result we were taken aback by the utterances of the YL towards the worker’s organization

The PEC has directed the ANCYL to retract its statement and apologies to COSATU. Our relations with COSATU it’s a progressive historical relation. We continue to enjoy cordial relations with COSATU and where challenges exist they are not insurmountable and will be addressed within the provided political platforms.      

Nelson Mandela Day

The PEC noted the work done by the government in celebrating Mandela Day on 18 July 2024 under theme ‘Combating poverty and inequality is in our hands.’. The Nelson Mandela Day is an internationally recognized day for all to spend their time on serving. The theme for 2024 Mandela Day is quite important and telling that we must spare no effort to fight poverty and inequality.

Allegation on the Executive Mayor of Matjhabeng, Cde Thanduxolo Khalipha

The PEC discussed at length the principles of step-aside as adopted by the NEC which indicates that “A member, office-bearer, or public representative, who has been indicted to appear in a court of law on a charge of corruption or other serious crime must immediately step aside pending the finalization of her or his case”.  The PEC reiterated that at all times the integrity of the ANC should be protected.

The PEC therefore resolved that Cde Thanduxolo Khalipha should step aside as the Executive Mayor of Matjhabeng Local Municipality. The PEC officials will announce the name of the person who will Act as the Executive Major while Cde Khalipa is attending the matter. The PEC officials will further determine the level of his participation on organizational activities.

The step aside rule should not be seen as a punishment but rather an opportunity for a member to attend to allegations leveled against him/her separate from the organization. Once the member has been cleared of the allegations the organization will take the appropriate steps.

Organizational Matters

The ANC is a mass based organization that must be rooted among the people. The responsibility of the ANC structures is to advance community interests within respective wards. The ANC is the only organization that have structures in all the wards in the province. We therefore call upon all our structures to work in earnest to recruit new members to the ANC and renew membership of those that are already members. The PEC members will work together with regional leadership to support and capacitate structures of the ANC at ward level.

We have also noted that for the past 30 years the organization have not been involved in an aggressive political education programme. This led to new members joining the organization and operating within the organization for some time without clear political acumen. In some instances, some members were recruited to join the organization for purpose of being disruptive and divisive.

Because of lack in intense political education programme some of these members grew within the organization with only one teaching of being destructive. The PEC has resolved to implement an aggressive political education programme which will start with PEC members and rolled down to branch level. In moving forward those that are given political responsibility will be given such responsibility on the basis of their political biography.

The meeting also resolved that, the ANC in the province should embark on a programme of organizational unity and renewal. This programme intents to unite members of the organization towards the strategic objective of our national democratic revolution and ensure that members sing from the same hymn. The united and renewed ANC is not only beneficial to the ANC but it’s a by-product of the national democratic society.

The PEC will provide the necessary support to all its leagues in order for them to best respond to their political tasks, more attention will be on the WL to ensure that it streamline issues of gender and implement programmes meant for women empowerment. The YL remain the necessary voice of young people, therefore it is expected that it should improve its political work and mobilize young people behind the banner of the ANC and champion the interest of youth. 

Passing of Cde Mamosadi Mtirara

The PEC once again send their condolences to the family of Cde Mamosadi Mtirara who was the longest WL organizer in the province. Comrade Mamosadi dedicated her life to serve the organization with diligence and discipline until her last days. We will remain indebted to her family for giving us such a dedicated cadre and may her soul rest in peace.